Ecclesiastes 1:14

Translations

King James Version (KJV)

I have seen all the works that are done under the sun; and, behold, all is vanity and vexation of spirit.

American King James Version (AKJV)

I have seen all the works that are done under the sun; and, behold, all is vanity and vexation of spirit.

American Standard Version (ASV)

I have seen all the works that are done under the sun; and, behold, all is vanity and a striving after wind.

Basic English Translation (BBE)

I have seen all the works which are done under the sun; all is to no purpose, and desire for wind.

Webster's Revision

I have seen all the works that are done under the sun; and behold, all is vanity and vexation of spirit.

World English Bible

I have seen all the works that are done under the sun; and behold, all is vanity and a chasing after wind.

English Revised Version (ERV)

I have seen all the works that are done under the sun; and, behold, all is vanity and a striving after wind.

Clarke's Ecclesiastes 1:14 Bible Commentary

Behold, all is vanity - After all these discussions and experiments, when even the results have been the most successful, I have found only rational satisfaction; but not that supreme good by which alone the soul can be made happy.

O curas hominum! O quantum est in rebus inane!

"How anxious are our cares, and yet how vain

The bent of our desires!"

Pers. Sat. i., 5: 1.

Barnes's Ecclesiastes 1:14 Bible Commentary

Vexation of spirit - A phrase which occurs 7 times, and may be otherwise translated, "feeding on wind." Modern Hebrew grammarians assert that the word rendered "vexation" must be derived from a root signifying "to feed," "follow," "strive after." This being admitted, it remains to choose between two translations:

(1) "striving after wind," or "windy effort;" adopted by the Septuagint and the majority of modern interpreters; or

(2) feeding on wind. Compare Hosea 12:1 : and similar phrases in Proverbs 15:14; Isaiah 44:20; Psalm 37:3.

Wesley's Ecclesiastes 1:14 Bible Commentary

1:14 Seen - Diligently observed. Vanity - Not only unsatisfying, but also an affliction or breaking to a man's spirit.